Earlier today I trapped a 5 mo old b&w (tux) kitten

[Auntie Debbie]

who is very unhappy about being caught, has taken up residence behind some stuff on my bookcase and hates me. In fact, if looks could kill, I'd be dead, LOL!
I'm kicking myself now for not putting him/her in the bathroom, but that is where my cats have their second litter box now. If by some stroke of luck I can get it to go into a carrier, maybe I'll switch. I just thought it would be great if I could lay down in there with it as I did with Smokey and her kittens. Maybe once it settles down it'll be more friendly. I'm hoping I can convert it into a nice house cat and get it adopted. If not it's just TNR,
Eyes are clear, nose looks clean and looks to be in good health.
Wish me luck!

[Traci]

Don't give up, his/her age is that independent age anyway, so be patient!!

[Cindy]

Is there any special technique to taming a feral kitten? I may find myself having to do the same someday

[Traci]

Nothing special, except extended patience, and frequent/patient attempts at socialization, handling, bonding. Think of a newly adopted kitten of any age, then think about 100 times the patience needed with a feral (sometimes, not always, although it can take weeks, months, and even years for a feral to be comfortable with you and her environment....this all depends on your committment level, kitty's prior environment, the stress factors etc)

Did I mention patience?

[Auntie Debbie]

Things aren't going well with the kitten. Seems she's (don't really know the *beep* yet) is very, very scared. She went from hiding in the bookcase to hiding behind some stuff on a dresser to now behind a box in a corner. I don't believe she ate anything. There is some dry and water on the floor. She "may" have dipped into that but not much. I've left out friskies pouch as well. Now the killer is I don't believe she's even touched the turkey lunchmeat I have been leving right by her.
I've decided that somehow I'm going to switch her into the bathroom and put my cats second litterbox back in the spare room. Then if she gets more social, switcheroo again so I can sleep part of the night with her.
I'm just not sure how dedicated I am to socializing her though. I will certainly give her a week, but there are other cats outside that need to be s/n'd. My real objuective is to get them s/n'd so there won't be anymore kittens.
This isn't my mess, but I don't see anyone else cleaning it up. Too many cats will eventually cause a problem and once there's a problem, there's a complaint and that won't bode well for any of them.
But if I can turn her in a reasonable amount of time, I will certainly do what I can for her about getting a good home.
As soon as she's calm enough I will try to get some pics of her.

[anneryan]

It's only been one day--I'm sure she's terrified. Maybe being in a smaller space (the bathroom) won't seem so overwhelming for her. I hope you are able to catch her to make the switch.

Bless you for what you are doing--you are a saint! Hopefully she'll start to calm down a little and maybe eat for you.

(If it makes you feel any better, my kitty won't eat turkey lunch meat either!)

Good luck and hugs for being such a wonderful kitty-mom.

Anne (and Mia)

[Auntie Debbie]

Things are going better with the kitten this morning but what a tough time yesterday and last night! Frist it was finding the new hidey holes (managed to get him in the bathroom)....between the plastic shower curtain and the one that hangs outside the tub....then I lifted the curtains up and wrapped them around the shower curtain rod....formed a hammock...kitten lodged himself there....then it was on the light fixture above the vanity...had to scruf him to get him off that....then just in the tub...stayed out all night from hidey holes but frequently cried and cried and cried....calmed down by this morning, hiding behind the toilet but did eat some wet food, turkey and Good Life Treats...and as a bonus, willingly let me pet him with the back scratcher I had been using on him. He really seemed to like it on his shoulders and sides of his face....He's starting to come around. I still wouldn't dare try to touch him yet. Hopefully he'll be more settled tonight.
And this morning I saw out back his siblings. There is a black kitty and another tux...*sigh*..not to mention a bunch of other cats.

[Traci]

I agree, it's only been a couple days now, you just have to give it alittle time....sounds like you're doing all the right things.

If I might suggest, use a carrier or even a cardboard box lined with towels or a fluffy blanket for him to hide in. He has to feel like he has a hiding place, a safe haven....boxes are great because they are dark and confined when they are so scared.

Glad to hear he's eating alittle, each day he should become more interested in his food...

[JUDY S]

Don't give up! I trapped a feral kitten and made him a part of our household. It was a slow process, but we made it. The first time he purred when I was petting him it brought tears to my eyes. They are so worth it. Good luck.

[Auntie Debbie]

Judy S...It's not that I don't want to not tame him, I have many other cats/older kittens outside that need s/n too. If I wait too long, there will soon be many more kittens. I already have 5 cats of my own and can afford only one room to care for the ferals. It's not that I feel he's not worth the effort, there's just more like him that need "tending". We'll see how he does this week though.
Traci, he does have the carrier in there and did finally settle in there this morning for a bit....until I ran the shower, LOL! Back to behind the toilet. I'm just glad that he ate some.